News

The 2017 Monhegan Artists' Residency Program

Eligibility

The Monhegan Artists' Residency Program is open to visual artists who live in, or have significant ties to the state of Maine. Artists working in all visual art media including painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, digital, video, or other new media, are welcome to apply. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and not enrolled in a degree program.

The 2-week artist residency in July is open only to K-12 visual art teachers in Maine.

2017 Residency Dates

317 Main Hires Three New Teachers

December 2016

317 Main Hires Little Roots Early Education DirectorAmanda Parkhurst has joined the 317 Main staff as the Little Roots Early Education Director. Amanda will lead our efforts to expand programming for the youngest musicians, ages birth-6. Amanda, who is known by many families in southern Maine as Amanda "Panda," comes to us with years of experience as a music educator, performer, program director and founder of Music and Magic Maine, a charity that puts instruments into the hands of children at no cost. Amanda will lead our first Little Roots Family Class, open to children ages birth-4 and parents or caregivers, starting in January.

Welcome New Teaching Artists!

Jeff Christmas Teaches VoiceWe are pleased to welcome Jeff Christmas to the 317 Main teaching staff. Jeff has been working with our Partnership Programs at the Boys & Girls Club in South Portland and at the Baxter Academy for Technology and Science since last spring. Starting this Winter, he'll join us in Yarmouth teaching voice lessons on Fridays. Jeff has a Masters Degree in music from the Boston Conservatory. He loves writing songs, playing music, hiking, biking, and hanging out with his family.

Emmett Harrity Teaches PianoEmmett Harrity is an active pianist in southern Maine who plays with the Fogcutters and other musical projects. A 2012 graduate cum laude of the University of Southern Maine School of Music, Emmett enjoys playing and teaching a range of music styles. He hopes to instill in his students, the same excitement he feels for making music.

Time to Say Goodbye... A Letter from Firehouse Arts

December 2, 2016

Dear Yarmouth and friends,

As many of you know, the Board of Firehouse Arts has been on a year-long quest to find another group or organization to take over the functions of our mission. We tried Variety Arts and several other proposals which failed to get off the ground. We were increasingly excited about a proposal from a new team that had ambition, scope of purpose and private financing! ...which sadly fell through at the eleventh hour. This past week, the current Board of Firehouse Arts voted to dissolve our non-profit and wind up financial and other affairs.

THE END OF AN ERA

While disappointing, our Board has no regrets. Since opening its doors in 2012, FA has served over 1,400 students of all ages and skill levels by presenting low cost or free classes, workshops, and lectures in the visual and literary arts. These programs created work for over 40 artist-educators, bringing them much needed income - artists are among the lowest income earners in the state. The center itself was transformed from an unused 19th-century firehouse to a safe, accessible gem located in the heart of Yarmouth. It boasts a large, well-lit multi-purpose room on the ground floor, a new heating system, ADA compliant bathroom and a new, beautiful stairway which provide access to three additional studios upstairs. And our courtyard is now a mini-park graced with a striking stone sculpture, plantings, stone sitting wall, and steel-welded privacy screens.

SO MANY PEOPLE TO THANK

Obviously, we are proud of what we accomplished with the help of so many community volunteers, and proud to be able to return this building to the town in such great shape. We are especially grateful to Nat Tupper, our town manager, and the Yarmouth Town Council for the support we have received, and as well, from the Town Planner and the Public Works Department. Without this assistance, our project would not have been possible. We leave the building in far better shape, and continue to hope that the Town will find an arts-related use for it.

KEEP ON CREATING

Thank you, all of you, for your understanding and support. When Firehouse Arts finally closes its doors on December 15, we hope and trust that Yarmouth will continue to find a way to serve its community through the arts.

SINCERELY,
Mardie Weldon

ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD
Janice Cooper
David Leith
Lisa Williams

and retired board members
Leslie Hamren
Jay Kendeigh
Mark Overhaug

Yarmouth Historical Society Announces New Executive Director

Press Release | 19 October 2016

After reviewing and interviewing numerous candidates from across the country, the Yarmouth Historical Society has selected its Program Director, Dr. Katherine G. Worthing, as its new Executive Director.

A graduate of Bowdoin College, Worthing earned her PhD in art history from the University of Glasgow. She has taught art history at Southern Maine Community College and worked in various roles with Victoria Mansion and Freeport Historical Society. Worthing succeeds Amy Aldredge, who served the Society in many capacities over the years. In June, Aldredge was named Executive Director of the Dallas (TX) Historical Society.

William Harwood, chair of the Yarmouth Historical Society Board of Trustees, expressed his support of Worthing, saying, "In her time with the organization, Katie has proven herself to be an enthusiastic ambassador for the History Center." Worthing continued: "I'm really excited about this opportunity. We have a great and supportive community here, a fascinating collection, and a beautiful building, which allows us to host many different programs and events."

Founded in 1960, the Yarmouth History Society holds an extensive collection of historic documents and artifacts, offers an extensive array of programs, and maintains a 4,500-square- foot museum open to the public at 118 East Elm Street in Yarmouth.

Yarmouth Arts has awarded $7,200.00 in Community Grants for 2011

The Yarmouth School Nutrition Program at Yarmouth High School was awarded $1000.00. A group of YHS students will assist a visiting artist create murals about Maine agriculture and "eating local". This grant is being matched by the Yarmouth School Department.

The Art Station, a proposed non-profit community art center, was awarded $5000.00 to support capital improvements and acquisitions. The art center will provide a place for meetings, workshops, and classes for children and adults conducted by local and visiting artists. The town of Yarmouth has approved the use of the Winslow Fire Station on Center St.

"Poetry at the Library", an ongoing program organized by Mary Dowd, was awarded $200.00 to support poetry readings and events to be presented at Merrill Library in the fall and spring of 2011-2012.

Portland Playback Theatre Co. was awarded $1000.00 for "Ghost House Tours" a program in conjunction with the Yarmouth Historical Society. The theatre company will portray historical figures using real life stories from Yarmouth history. These performances will take place in selected Yarmouth homes in October 2011.

Yarmouth Arts is a nonprofit organization made up of local citizens committed to encouraging arts and cultural activities within the community of Yarmouth.

Our mission is to enhance the cultural life of our community by increasing awareness of existing cultural opportunities; promoting greater participation in the arts and cultural activities for all ages and interests; and facilitating and supporting cultural events and activities in Yarmouth.